Indicator



T. B. OWENS Dec. 4, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 24, 1948 flaws .27: 0.2- 71 202124235. Owens T. B. OWENS Dec. 4, 1951 INDICATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed Dec. 24, 1948 13 I? "In B. OWENS INDICATOR Dec. 4, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 24, 1948 l-IHIIIIIIllfflVEHZc/F 772012263515. Ozuew T. B. OWENS Dec. 4-, 1951 INDICATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 24, 1948 Patented Dec. 4, 1951 INDICATOR Thomas B. Owens, Barrington, Ill., assignor to Jewel Tea 00., Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of New York Application December 24, 1948, Serial No. 67,119

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an indicator, and more particularly it has to do with a numeral indicator which may be controlled remotely from any one of a plurality of operator stations for consecutively posting numerals at a conveniently visible location.

While the apparatus of this invention may be used in any situation where it is desirable to inform a number of people of a change of events which may be indicated numerically on an illuminated chart or board, this apparatus has particular use in connection with the meat counter of a modern supermarket. As is well known, it is customary for shoppers in a supermarket to obtain tickets at the meat counter which have numbers thereon indicating the order in which the customers will be served. After obtaining a ticket, each customer must listen for his number to be called.

Due to the fact that each number is called only once and also due to the fact that some people have difficulty in hearing, it is very desirable that the number being served be posted in an elevated position visible from all points of the supermarket so that each customer may conveniently check his own number against the number of the customer being served.

According to the general features of this invention, there is provided a box-like structure having two openings in horizontal alignment in the forward wall thereof. A pair of cylindrical drums are mounted side-by-side in the box for rotation about vertical axes. Numerals from to 9 are imprinted in spaced relation on the exterior wall of each of the cylindrical drums, and the drums are so positioned in the box that only one of the numerals on each drum will register at any time with the opening in the forward wall of the box.

An electric motor is associated with each drum for rotating it, and control apparatus is provided whereby a butcher may index the drum to the next consecutive number when he is ready for the next customer. A novel electric control circuit coordinates the beginning of rotation of the drum, the stopping of the drum, and the ringing of a bell to audibly indicate the change of the numbers.

It is therefore an important object of the presen invention to provide an illuminated numerical indicator which may be conveniently mounted above the meat counter of a food store and which may be readily seen from any point in the store.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a numerical indicator that may be indexed remotely from a plurality of stations to show consecutive numbers on the indicator.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel electric control circuit for controlling the movement of the numerals in a numeral indicator having rotating drums.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel friction type drive for a rotating drum.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description in the annexed sheets of drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a numeral indicator constructed according to the teachings of the present invention mounted above the meat counter in a food store;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, with parts shown in elevation, taken through the numeral indicator of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line III1II of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical control circuit of the present inven= tion.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View, with. parts shown in elevation, of a modified form of the indicator of the present invention.

Figure 6 is avertical sectional view taken on line VI-VI of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the indicator of Figures 5 and 6.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figure l, the reference numeral Iii indicates the casing of a numeral indicator constructed according to the teaching of the present invention having two openings H and 22 in the forward wall thereof. The indicator is supported from a convenient support, such as a ceiling (not shown) or any suitable means, as by chains IS. A spotlight l4 may be positioned in front of the indicator so as to focus attention on the indicator without interfering with the line of vision of the customers.

A plurality of control stations l5 are mounted on a display counter l5a from which a butcher may index the indicator to summon the next customer. The control stations I5 are spaced along the counter for the convenience of the butchers. It will be understood, of course, that the control stations 15 may be located at any place adjacent the meat counter as, for example, a wrapping counter located behind the meat counter 15a.

In Figure 2 the inside of the casing l3 of the indicator is illustrated. As shown therein, a pair of hollow cylindrical drums l6 and H are mounted for rotation side-by-side in the casing ill. On the outer cylindrical face of each drum consecutive numerals from to 9 are inscribed thereon :equally ispaced rfrom one .;another. '.The numerals may be painted on the drum with a luminescent paint so that they will show up when the rays from the spotlight M are directed thereon. It is evident, of course, that any other suitable method of inscription may be used, such as black paint on a white background.

While the drum It carries athertens digits and the drum li carries the units digits, they are substantially identical as to construction, .and it is believed that a detail descriptionof'one-drum will serve to adequately disclose this feature cof the invention.

Each .drum has .end .wall .members .20 .andll in which a shaft;22 .is 'freelyljournaled for rotae tion relative to the drum. LThelower orbottom wall 21 carries ailangeplate 23whic'h also providesajournal for 'the shaftZ-Z. "Thisshait 22 mayconveniently be journaled at itsup-per end in a bearing member 2 secured *to the upper wallpf'the casing and at its :extremelower end in"a"'thrustrbearingi-25 se'curedfto theb'ottom wall of the casing.

:The: drumrotate d'byi-meansiofra ifrictionicollar 28:whichiiskeyedltolthe shaftrzh-as by aset screw z25, .at a;point;just below theiflange .plate :23. EI'hecollarZfi and ithe .p1ate-Z 3 .have contacting surfaces made of materials that havesuitable frictional characteristics when incontactto cause the drum to be rotatedwhen the collarfifi is rotated with'thesha'ft22. The flange plate23. may conveniently have a: relatively smoothmetalcontact surface'while the surface "of the collar 28 may be made-of a composite material 'suchas used on brake or 'clutch 'facings.

The shaft 22 :isdriVen from 'an electric motor 31 through bevel gears'32 and33. Whileabevl gear 'drive "is herein illustrated, it will be understood that any suitable type of drive iSllOh as ea worm gear drive or'a belt drive may ibe'utilized in this installation.

The rotating drum is stopped by means of a sOlenoidBS'thathasa plungerz36sand is mounted on'apedestal 31'which is securedto the base of the :casing I ll. The=plunger .136 :is aligned to register with 'a circular ring of spaced holes 538 (Figure 3) in the bottom wall =2l of the drum.

When the solenoid 35 is energized, the plunger 36 is retracted into the housing of thesolen'oid. Upon deenergization of the5s0lenoid, the-plunger is quickly moved :out of the housing by :a'--spring 39 which .isdisposed around-the plungerzand acts between the housing and a collar All :on the plunger.

Thus, in operation, the drum is "frictionally driven by the shaft. 2-2 through-the collar 28, but when-shaft 22 is stopped saidzdrum-willcontinue to-coasta:shortdistance. As will be explained hereinafter, the solenoid 35 and the ,holes :33 in the drum are :so located that the .plungercf :the solenoid will not move into a hole 38 to stop the coasting of the l drum after the shaft 22 has been stopped until the next numeral .is aligned with the aperture. In addition, :the solenoid :plunger is not released into ,the path .of .theholes until the motor is deenergized. Thus, .the plunger .35 will not be required to act against vthedriving force -of the friction collar. In fact, after {the shaft .22 isstopped the friction collar will have a braking reflect ion the drum.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, a plurality of contact arms 43, one for each digit, are adjustably mounted in blocks 44 which are secured to the undersurface of the bottom plate 21 of the drum. These arms are spaced equidistantly around the periphery of the drum and are arranged to trip- :a microswitch tii that is EflOlll'ltEdz'OIl the cas- "inglfl.

The apparatus of the present invention is put zinto operation in the following manner. A push button 47 (Figure 1) at one of the control sta- "tions I5 is pressed by one of the butchers. This .huttonecloses an electric circuit which "(1') Startscthe ;electric motor 3!, causing the rotation of the unit drum [1,

=62) :Energizes the ssolenoid 35 to retract the plunger 36, (3) Energizes a signal light 48 on each control plate I5.

ZIhigs'ighaLl" light 48 remains energized while the drum is .rotating and is .notice to the other butchers .that indexing of the indicator is takingplace.

After the drum H is rotated a predetermined distance, .an arm 43 trips the .microswitch 25 causingthe above-mentioned circuitto be broken, deenergizing .the motor -3l, the solenoid 35, and the=light .48. The .springfl urges therllungerBfi of 'thesolenoid upwardly .into a hole .38 .in the drum .to "stop .the drum. It .will .berecognized .that the .location of the hole.38.mus.t be coordinated with .the location of .thearm i3-and with the .location of .the -numerals -onethe surface lot the drum. Whenproperlycoordinated, .thedrum will lbestopped whenethenext consecutive .numeral .is .aligned with .the associated aperture in a forward wall of the casing and the solenoid be 'deenergized .just before .a hole .38 .approachescthe solenoidstation.

Tripping .of .the microswitch Q5 energizes .a circuit whichiringsa bell 39 lthatis conveniently mounted .inside the .casing it] (Figure 2). The bellralls the attention of the customer to the change .of .the numbers in .the indicator.

Since the drum 11 carries the unitsdigits, it will be .rotatedfrom 0 to 9 beforevthe drum LIB, carrying the tensdigit is rotated. This intermittent operation .of the .drum l6 is effected by means of a microswitch 50 mounted on apedestal 5! which is secured .to the .bottom wall of the casing I0. .Anarm 53 (Figure 3) .adjustably se-, cured to .the bottom .of .the .drum 1 i .is arranged toftr'ipthe-switch Elias the drum i indexedirom the numeral 9 to the numeral 0. When the switch .is tripped it-closes a circuit .whichenergizes the .motor .31 for .drivingthe drum I16 and energizes the solenoid 35' mounted below the drum 16 to retraottheplunger.35.

-After the drum .16 .rotates .a predetermined distancecessaryto index one .digit, themicroswitch willhe tripped .by.an.arm-s3 .toideenergiZe the. motonand .thesolenoid causing thedrum J B tobes'topped.

In Figures 1 and .3 .the .position .of the :operating mechanism -is .Shownfor .thereading 29 of the numeral indicator. It will be notedain Figur.e.3 that .the drums 1 .3 and I] .aremountedifor clockwise rotation about the .shaft 22 and that in .each case the arm 43 has just passed the microswitch 5 with which it is associated for stopping the rotation of the drum. .Inthe case of the drum I! it will also be noted that the arm.53 which trips :themicroswitch 56, when the drum H is moving from the numeral -9 to the numeral 0, is in position to trip the microswitch on the next rotation of the drum IT.

The electric circuits which control the operation of the indicator of this invention are illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 4. When any one of the push buttons 41 is pressed down, the circuit is closed between a source of electric energy 69 and a magnetic coil 6| through conductor 62, push button switch 41, conductor 63, coil BI and conductor I9. When the coil BI is energized, it draws a lever 54 over to it, the lever 64 pivoting at 65. This pivoting action puts the opposite end 64a of the lever 64 up on the top of a lever 66 and closes contact points 61 of a relay which energizes the motor 3I through conductor 52, conductor II, points 61, conductor I2, motor 3 I, and conductor I9.

The lever 66 is normally urged in a counterclockwise rotation about point 68 by a spring 69-. Thus, as soon as the lever 64 is pivoted b the coil 6|, the lever 66 moves under the end 64a and holds the contact 61 closed even though the push button is released and the magnetic coil 6| is deenergized.

Closing of the contacts 61 also energizes a solenoid 35, associated with the drum I1, by way of the conductor 62, the conductor II, the contacts 6i, conductor I2, conductor I3, solenoid 35 and cnductor I9. The light 48 is also energized when the contacts 6'! are closed through the conductor 92, the conductor II, the contacts 61, the conductor I4, the conductor I5, the light filament 48, the conductor I5, and the conductor 79.

When the microswitch associated with the drum II and herein indicated by reference numeral 45 is tripped by the arm 43 of the drum, the above-mentioned circuits are broken and as a result the motor 3I is stopped, the solenoid 35 is deenergized, the spring 39 moves the plunger 36 into the hole or aperture 38 in the drumto stop the rotation thereof, and the signal lights 48 are deenergized. As seen in Figure 4, the microswitch 45 is normally opened. When the arm of the microswitch 45 is struck by the arm 43 of the drum, a circuit is closed to the magnetic coil I9 which is mounted on the same base as the coil 9i. This circuit is closed by conductor 62, conductor 92, conductor 89, microswitch contact 45, conductor 8|, conductor 82, the coil I9, and conductor I9. When the coil I9 is energized the lever 66 is drawn over to the coil permitting the end 54a of the lever 64 to drop, thus opening the contacts 6?. When the contacts 61 are open, the motor 3i stops, the solenoid plunger 36 is springpressed against the bottom of the drum for en gaging the next hole 38, and the lights 48 go out.

Tripping of the microswitch 45 also energizes a coil 83 by way of the conductor 62, the conductor 92, the conductor 93, the conductor 89, the contact of the switch 45, the conductor 8|, the conductor 84, the coil 83, the conductor 85, the conductor 96, the conductor 91, and the conductor I9. When the coil 83 is energized, a lever 89 is drawn down to the coil, thus making contact between terminals 99 and 9|. Thus a circuit is established through conductor 62, conductor 92, conductor 93, terminals 9|, lever 89, terminal 99, conductor 94, the terminals of the bell 49, conductor 95, conductor 86, conductor 81, and conductor I9.

Thus it is seen that in connection with the drum I I there is one relay which starts the motor, energizes a solenoid and energizes signal lamps, a second relay that deenergizes the circuits which were energized by the first relay, and a third relay energized by the second relay to ring a bell.

When the microswitch 59 which is mounted below the drum I1 and is arranged for tripping by the lever 53 which is secured to the bottom of the drum I! is tripped by this lever, a coil 99 is energized through the conductor 62, the conductor 92, the conductor 93, the conductor 95, the microswitch 59, conductor 96, the terminals of the coil 99, conductor 91, and conductor I9. The coil 99 acts in exactly the same manner as the coil 6| to close a pair of contacts 98 which energize the electric motor, herein indicated by reference numeral 3|, associated with the drum I6. The closing of the contact 98 also energizes the solenoid 35' to retract the plunger 36 from the hole in the drum I6. When the drum has rotated a predetermined distance an arm 43 will trip the microswitch, indicated by the numeral 45, which will energize a coil 99 which is efiective to open the contacts 98 similarly to the action of the coil I9 heretofore described and thereby deenergize the motor 3| and the solenoid 35'. When the solenoid 35' i deenergized, the spring-urged plunger will engage the next hole in the bottom of the drum and stop the rotation of the drum. Thus the drum I6 is rotated only when the microswitch 59 is tripped by the lever 53 which is mounted on the drum H.

In Figures 5 and 6 a second embodiment of the indicator of the present invention is illustrated. This indicator comprises a drum I99 mounted for rotation about a vertical axis inside a casing I9 I. It will be understood, of course, that while only one drum is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the complete indicator assembly has two drums mounted side by side.

A three-legged bracket I92 is secured to the bottom wall of the drum. The bracket I92 has a friction surface l92a in contact with a friction surface I 93a of a disc I93 which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis defined by a pin I95 formed integral with or secured to the disc I93. The pin I95 is journaled at its upper end in a hole I96 centrally disposed in the bracket I92 and at its lower end in a recess I98 in the upper central portion of a standard II9. Legs II2 support the standard II 9 on the base of the casing. If desired the legs II2 may be secured, as by screws, to the casing.

As seen in Figure 5, a motor I I 2 having a drive shaft I I 3 carries a gear I4 which is in mesh with teeth H5 disposed on the periphery H9 of the disc I93. Thus, when the motor IE2 is energized, the disc I93 is rotated. The engagement of the friction surfaces I92a and I93a causes the drum I99 to be rotated.

It will be understood, of course, that the drum I 99 operates on a controlled cycle exactly as the drums I! and I8 of Figure 2. Also it is to be understood that the base of the drum I99 is provided with a plurality of contact arms I I8, and a microswitch I I9. In this modification the arms II8 are each mounted on one leg of an angle member I29 that is secured to the base of the drum. A hole is provided in the other leg of the angle member I29 for receiving a plunger I22 of a solenoid I23 which is effective to stop the rotation of the drum. With the holes provided in the angle member I29, it is not necessary to drill holes in the base of the drum.

The casing I99 has a cover portion I25 which is pivotally attached thereto on hinges I26. A socket I2'I for an electric light bulb I28 is secured to the underside of the cover I25 directly in line with each drum. When the cover is 7 "elesedf' the bulb is d'is'pos'ed inside the arum 61 ilininati-ng tlie numeral that front of one {of the display openings in the forward wall of the casing. A"pl-ug l 29 isarrangedtc be insertedinto a'socket (not shown) -inside the casing.

The -drum 99 may be 'paintedbIaCkWith the numerals-cut out'of the wall of the'drum. [A white cloth orwire mesh may be secured'across the cut out portions. Then, when the light I23 isenergiz'ed insidethedrum the numeral positioned beforethe"display opening in the forward-wallof thecasing'will be illuminated as t whirem'merar Q I Thus, this second embodiment discloses a drum which is mounted for rotation onja novel friction turntable. This modificationalso provides a novel means 'for illuminating the numerals of 'the indicator.

Fr'om theforegoing description itwill be seen that'thereis provided'in this invention a novel numeral indicating device which may be actuated from a plurality of operator stations by'pushing a button. This actuation of the pushbutton sets inmotion a series of electrically driven mechanisms and control devices which index the unit drum one digit, stoppingthe drum'when the next consecutive number isperfectlyaligned withthe opening in the'casing of the indicator. This'automatic control circuit als'oprovides'for the lighting of asignal switch at the control station and the ringing of a bell when the indexingis performed, It will be appreciated that the mechanism of this invention -is simple in construction and does not require a skilled operator to-accomplish the necessaryindexing of the numerals.

t will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay be varied through a wide range without departing from the principlesof the present inventionyand it'is, therefore, not the purpose-to'limit the patent granted hereon other than necessitated by the'scope of the appended claims.

I claim as m'yin'vention:

'1. An accessory for the serving counterof a storecomprising a'control push button switch mounted on said counter, a box-like housing mounted in spaced relation above'said counter, a rotatable drum insaid housing, numerical indicia 'spa'ced'o'n the "outer surface of said drum, power means connected to said drum for rotating the same, a second switch mounted in said housing adjacent said "dru'in, 'a plurality "of abutment arms on said drumspa'ced to conform'to the spacing of said numerals and movable against said second switch for tripping the switch, and said power means including an electric circuit that is energized by actuation of said push-button switch and deenergized by tripping of said second switch by said abutment arms,

2. A numeral indicator comprising a housing having an aperture in one wall thereof, a shaft disposed substantially vertically in said housing, a cylindrical drum mounted for rotation on said shaft having a peripheral portion adjacent the aperture in said housing, consecutive numerals 611 ime piiphral po'rti6n' ef I the 9 drum adapted to register with 'said {aperture in the housing,

a bell mounted-in said housing, power means connected to 'said shaft for 7 driving the f same,

a friction piateo'n said shaft, a'friction su'riac'e 011 said drum in -driving and supportingconrotation thereof, means for simultaneouslyenergizingsaid power means to rotate saiddrum and releasing said brake'means, and automatic means for deenergizing said power means, ap-

predetermined amount of'rotation of saiddrum.

13. Incombination 'a servingcounter, a push button control unit secured on said serving counter having a signal light thereon, ahousing mounted in spaced relation'above said counter having an aperture in one wall thereof, a drum mounted for rotation in said housing having numemis on the periphery thereof, power means including an electric motor for rotating said drum to position one of said numerals adjacent the apertured housing, a bell mounted in said housing,'said po'wer means including an electric circuit arranged to be energized bysaid pushbutton for lighting said signal light and startingsaid electric motor torotate said drums, and automatic'means ior deenergizing said circuit upon a'predetermiried rotation of said drum and energizing a circuit 'ior ringing said bell.

4. Incombination a serving counter, a push button control unit on 'said"c'ounter, a box-like housing mounted in spaced relation above said counter, a rotatable 'dru'in in saidhousing'spaced numerical indicia'o'n said drum, power means connected to said drum for rotating the same, a switch mounted in saidhousin'g engaging said drum, and a plurality 'of abutment arms on said drum spaced to "conform 'to "the spacing of said numerals movable against said switch for tripping the switch, said power means including an electric circuit that-is en'ergized by actuation of said push button unit and'deenrgi zed by tripping of said switch by sai'd abutmemarms.

THOMAS 'B. OWENS.

REFERENCES 'CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 549,241 Hunter- Nov. 5, 1895 740,380 Willower "Sept. 29, 1903 924,890 Townsend July 3, 1906 944,003 Sohfn Dec. '21, 1909 1,218,016 Tarbo'i'i Mar. 6, 1917 1,220,109 Heiny Mar. 20, 1917 1,223,1 9 Henschel Apr. 17, 1917 1,654,943 Nott Jan. 3, 1928 1,952,513 Reynolds Mar. 27, 1934 1,959,379 McFadin May 22, 1934 2,074,066 Wheeler Mar. 16, 1937 2,190,908 Nevinger Nov. 21, 1939 2,241,548 Frischknecht May 13, 1941 2,433,608 Handley Dec. 30, 1942 2,455,209 Anderson Nov. 30, 1948 

